WICHITA, Kan – This game of hockey, my new addiction, never fails to let me down. Just when I think I have seen it all and I understand the game enough to know what is going on, I get hit by something so profound I have to analyze my thoughts before I can even put them on paper.
Almost a month ago, February 11th, the Tulsa Oilers lost a match to the Icemen. As I am sure several of you will recall, Luke Lucyk took a cheap shot to the head from Mike Sgroi resulting in a four game suspension for Sgroi and some time off for Lucyk. The hit didn’t necessarily take me by surprise, I mean, this is ice hockey; however, what happened afterwards deepened my respect for the game and for the men that battle for the puck.
My gaze was glued on Lucyk as he tried to stand and get off the ice. When I finally glanced away I realized the ice was littered with helmets and gloves as both teams were engaged in fights. This overwhelming feeling came over me; they are protecting each other, in a hockey kind of way. I imagine to some people this would be like, well yah, that’s what they do, but to me…it was so much more. Men…standing their ground, fighting their battle, backing up their friends, protecting the family…acting as men should….on or off the ice. If it’s possible to fall in love with the principles behind the game, then undoubtedly, I have fallen. This night, in particular, sealed the deal. In what other sport do teammates attack against a predator who likes to throw cheap shots at the unexpected?
The crowd that night was just nuts; the majority of people were on their feet, screaming and yelling like I hadn’t heard in a very long time. Was it the fights or was it the principle behind the fights that got everyone so excited? Well, in Julie’s world, it’s the principles behind the fights; as it teaches us to stand our ground, protect the people we love, and take action when it is time to do so.
On a side note, I was listening to an interview with Mike Fisher of the Nashville Predators and he was discussing how fighting is an integral part of the game and off the ice the guys respect each other and talk to one another and so forth. I couldn’t help but wonder what happens in women’s leagues. Men typically battle it out, get it out of their system, and move on. Women, on the other hand, typically bottle it up and when it comes to a head they would be screaming at each other about something that happened last season, two years ago, just yesterday and probably tomorrow. That is one fight I would hate to have to break up.
Anyway, as Sandra Bullock said in the Blind Side, “This team is your family. You have to protect them from those guys”. Hockey is definitely about scoring goals and playing good defense, but it’s also about standing up for the team and doing what you have to do to keep the principle of the game in check. I am proud of the Tulsa Oilers. I am proud in how they play the game and how they stand their ground. I think Bruce Ramsey is doing an excellent job with these guys and am so excited to see what the future brings for this team.
And just to give a shout out to the smart women of Oklahoma, I think Carrie Underwood is as smart as the come. Look who she married…a hockey player with a strong faith!
Contact Julie.Harmon@prohockeynews.com
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